I have had this about 2 weeks. Still getting used to some of the features. It's very responsive and minimum time for the GPS to work. Right now, I am not completely sold on the running or walking features using the GPS. It does verbalize my time at each mile split; however, I cannot locate that information once my run or walk are complete! According to the help area I should be able to locate that information. I haven't been able to do that! That is frustrating. I like that I know my overall time and average pace. I want to be able to find each mile and the calories burned as I did on my old 220 Forerunner. Supposedly I can find it on my home screen...I haven't been able to do that. I really don't want to have to return this watch, I like most of the features and the cost of this model. I do need some of the basic information that I am used to finding.

It’s Way too complicated to setup - need a special college course to complete a setup. Simplicity - should be a modo for the users. May have a special tab for advanced settings. Moreover, this watch is dictating you what to do. Just a few examples; “take a rest and start moving” or “keep moving” EVERY Hour!!!! Or it starts buzzing in the morning despite the fact that my phone is still on the sleep mode?!!! Also it suddenly decides that I need to run, or I need to pick up a body to challenge? I DID NOT set it up!!!! I don’t want the watch dictates me what to do! I’ve tried multiple times to adjust settings on my phone and my watch-no success!!! It seems it’s running on its own! I’m thinking of returning it and I would discourage regular folks like me from buying it.

I absolutely love this watch, I would give it 5 stars but the screen locks up frequently. I had one prior and it was doing it so we sent it back and I got a new one on the 9th. It locked up 3x in the first 24 hrs. It has done it 3 more times since. Once for well over an hour. The watch still counts steps while it's locked up but vibrates a lot so I have no clue what it is doing. It once sent out the emergency alert while locked up and I couldn't shut it off. Other than this I love the watch. I wish it had a hike function. I love the stats it gives me after a run and how it breaks them down. I love the night time mode.

My Vivoactive 5 was my first Garmin purchase, and it was a little hard deciding which one to get due to all the models they offer. For me, the main features I cared about were swimming, running, golfing, tennis, hiking, and music. I used their web app to help me figure out which one to get, and it recommended the Forerunner 165. But, the Forerunner didn't offer golfing, and you had to pay extra for music... but, I really wanted the altimeter for hiking. I was a bit torn. I ultimately settled on the Vivoactive 5, even though it doesn't have an altimeter. What I discovered after getting the Vivoactive 5 is that while it doesn't report your elevation while you are hiking, it does report it after the fact in the activity report, which is good enough for me. Overall, I'm very satisfied with my Vivoactive 5. It is counting my swim laps for me, providing useful stats on strokes per length, swolf, etc., music integration is a breeze, and it works well for all the other activities I wanted. So, if you're into the same sports I am into, I highly recommend it.

I bought this watch about a month ago after exchanging my Garmin Fenix 7 that I had purchased a few months before that. The vivoactive 5 is exactly what I was looking for. The Garmin Fenix 7 was too large and too complicated. The vivoactive 5 has all of the features I was looking for, very similarly to the Fenix 7, but is a lot smaller profile and easy to wear. I am so happy with this watch.

I started with another watch to track my weight loss journey and began to run/ walk 5K's and I needed accuracy of my miles.The watch I had never gave me the correct miles. I joined a running group and asked what watch would be best for my 5K training and everyone said Garmin. I began my research and found the Vivoactive 5. I must say I love everything about this watch from the body battery to the naps. I have never had a fitness watch that was like a buddy. Vivoactive 5 is a must have and I will be using Garmin for the rest of my life.

Honestly, if you’re thinking about getting one, stop waiting and just do it. I will preface by saying that I’m an Apple user and it pairs with my phone just fine. Anyways, my family could not stop raving about how great their Garmin was and how I needed to get one, especially because I’ve been training for a half marathon and blah blah blah. So… I finally did it, and I wish I’d done it sooner! This thing tracks everything - steps, body battery, heart rate, sleep score - EVERY.THING. It comes with a Garmin Coach that has been giving me guided workouts. Right now mine is for running. You just go through and pick what you want to train for and they give you several coaches to choose from. Did I mention it was FREE? And I can’t believe how long the battery lasts! I use the features on this watch DAILY, and I charge it once a week. Most times not even to 100% because I don’t want to miss out on my step count. (LOL) Anyways, just get one. I don’t miss my Apple Watch at all.

As a prior Fitbit owner, I switched to Garmin, as I was tired of replacing Fitbit devices annually, and I believe Google will eliminate them and move people to their watch. I am looking to Garmin to fill my tracking needs, eliminate constant replacements, and provide more data. At this point, they have exceeded my expectations. They provide more information and add more features. It is double the price, but having to replace a Fitbit every year, this Garmin tracker has to make it two years, and I am ahead.

I switched from an Apple watch a month ago and I am totally in love with the Garmin. It tracks sooo much more than my Apple watch did and is way more accurate. I no longer get credit for exercising when just walking to and from my car! Haven’t looked back yet and I have Apple everything else.

My boyfriend got this for me for Christmas, and it’s everything I need as a runner, HR, Calories, pacing, VO2 max, etc!! So many features! And it’s really easy to understand real quick! I didn’t even have to really read the manual to get it. I love it !